Supporting structure



Nov. 10, 1931. l. A. EAKlNs Y SUPPORTING STRUCTURE y 2 Sheets-Sheet y1 Filed May 5, 1950 NOV. 10, 1931. l, A EAKlNs 1,831,486

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Filed May 5j 195o 2 sheets-sheer 2 J9 40" i'////// A1 EL/ 6 G\ L/ M l 40 l/(S 6 42 35 fg- Pafemed Nov. 1o, 1931 l* UNITED STATES PATENT omer.

ISAIAH A. EAKIN S, F PLEASANTON, TEXAS,

AssrGNoR To GENERAL AiviEaIcnN TANK.

. CAR CORPORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AA CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA -sUrron'riNG STRUCTUREv Application ,filedV May 5, 193e. serial 1\`Io. 449,931.v

My invention relates, more particularly, Ito the supporting, on vehicles, of runningboards or platforms, as for example, and especially, running boards 'on tank cars and platforms at tank car domes. l Y i 'j One of my Vobjects is to provide for the sppporting of running boardsor platforms without requiring the boringof holes in the boards of which they are commonly constructed, the common practice being to secure the boards in place by 4means of bolts `extending through the boards which is objectionable not only because of the cost of 'construction and the labor required for installation, but also be-` cause the boring `of holes in the boards renders the boards very susceptible to decay.

Another object is to providel inexpensive supporting means for the boards and requir ing the use of the minimum number of bolts or other devices for securing them in place.

Another object is to reduce to as great a degree as possible, the `cost of'maintaining structures suoli as those above referred to, in operative and safe condition.' p K Another object is to provide for the use of short lengths of material for the running boards; and other objects as will be manifest from the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a tankcar equipped with a runiiing'board struc ture and a platform structure constructed in accordance with my invention. y

Figure 2 is a plan view lof the structure shown in Fig. 1, with the tank at one end vof the car removed to disclose details of structure which would otherwisebe obscured;

Figure 3 is a view in end elevation of the underframe of the car ofiFi'g. 1.

Figure' is a broken enlarged sectionalview taken at the line 1f-4C on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. f

Figure 5 is a broken enlarged sectional View taken at the line 5-5 on ig. 2V and yview-ed in the direction of the arrows, this view sh Owing` the tank in place.

Figure 6 is an enlarged bottoni plan' view of one of the similar corner portions of the' ruiming board structure. of the car. y

Figure 7 is anvenlarge'd broken sectional tions 19 ofthe running view taken at the line 7 on'Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. y -Figure 8 is an `enla-rged'broken sectional view taken at the line 8 on Fig. and viewed yin the `direction yof the arrow.

Figure 9 iswan *enlarged broken sectionalY ViewV taken at'the linel 9`9 on Fig. 1 and viewed in thev directi'o'nof thearrow'; Vand Figure 170, a broken enlarged'sectiontak'en at thel line 10,--1'0 Von Fig. 2 and viewed in' the direction ofthe arrows. v y Referring to the particular illustratedv em` bodiment of my invention, Vthe lunderframe of the car is represented generally atmlO and the tank portion thereof'at 11 the latter being provided with the usual dome. structure represented at 12. .y y

The underframe 10 is of the so-calledcent-er sill type, the center sill thereof being'repi'e-v sented at 13 and shown as provided lWith bodyebolster-forming sections lll secured to the center sill in pairs at opposite ends of the" center sill, the tank 1 1 being supportedV adf jacent its ends on lsaddle blocks interposed between the tank and the underframe at the bolster section 14 as represented by the sad#A dle blocks 15 at' one ofthe bolster-forming sections 14. y v y Any suitable means for 'anchoring the tank 11 to the underframe may be provided, the Y structure being shown .as provided with tank bands Ylsecu'red to theunderframe" and par` tially encircling the tank 11 'in accordance K' with common'practice. j Y n The underframe lOyis shown as provided with a running board structure represented 17 at opposite sides of the car and represent-I ed at 19 may each be formedpof a singlelength of board or plank ora plurality of end-to-end disposedplankor boards, as desired. p i

In the arrangement shown the side p0rsupported between their ends on cross bearers 20 shown as locatedv in spaced apart relation at opposite sides `r'of the lcenter .of the car.

boards are shown as:

'im i The running board portions 18 at the ends of the car vare shown as supported on, and secured by, rivets 21 to a U-shaped bracket 22 secured to the center sill 13.

The means located between the ends of the yunderframe for securing Vthe sideportions 19 are applied to the outer ends of the crossv bearers 2O to the position shown in the drawings in which position the tongues 29 eX- tend into the upwardly opening channels of the cross bearers 2O to the Vbottom portions of which the tongues 29 are secured as by rivets 30, the leg portions .28 of these clip secions being slotted to adapt them to lit over theflanges of the cross bearers as shown. Each clip section is of inverted U-shaped and straddles at its legs 31 the clip section 24. The running boards are located between-these clip sections, the latter being secured to each other .by any suitable means extending through their legs as for example the rivets represented at 32, it being preferred that the legsof one of these clip sections be vertically slotted to receive the rivets and permitting of the securing of these clip sections together about running boards'of dierent thicknesses. In-F ig. 1() the vertical slots referred to are shown asin the legs 27 and28 as represented at 33.'

In the construction shown the ends of the running board portions 19 are shown-as connected with the end sections 18 of the running board by clip devices of the same general construction as that above described.

These clip devices are represented at 34 and each comprises nested sections 35 and 36.

' Y. Each Vlower section 35 is of general inverted U-shape-presenting a substantially horizontal plate portion 37, parallel depending legs 38 and 39, a depending leg 40 at its outerend,

and a tongue portion 41 provided with .an upturned flange 42. Eachclip section 36 is also of general inverted U-shape presenting the parallel legs 43 and 44 and a depending. flange 45 at one end.- The clip sections described are assembled with the running board portions 18 and 19 at the corners of the running board structure into the position shown, theclip sections 35'being positioned against the under side of these corner portions as shown and the Aclip sections 36 applied to the upper surfaces of these cornerportions, the sections 35 thus becoming nested with the sections 36, with the running board portions interposed therebetween. In this position of the parts described the running board portions 19 are embracedbetween the legs 43 and Vrepresented at 46, the holes in the depending portions of one section of each clip through which the rivets extend, being preferably vertically elongated to adapt them to boards of different thicknesses as explained above in connectionwith the clip devices 23.

In the particular construction shown the rivets46` at the outer sides of the running board portions 19 are connected together Vas represented at 47 to providehandholds at the opopsite sides of the carat both ends thereof.

The clip devices 34 may, or may not, be scl cured directly to the underframe of the car, as desired. 1 However, in the particular construction shown means are providedfor so supporting these clip devices, the means shown comprising bars l48 connected with the center sill and extending laterally outwardly therefrom to the outer ends of which the clip sections 35 are riveted. V

There the distance between the clip devices 23 and the clip devices 24 is such that-objectionable vibration of the running board portions 19` may result, I prefer to provide means for preventing such vibration these means in the particular construction shown comprising clips 49v shown as secured tothe bolster. sections 14 as by rivets represented at 50 and having portions 51 which overlie the upper lsurfaces of the running board portions 19.

In the particular construction shown the platform on which the -workmen stand when anything is to be done at the dome portion 52 of the car, is constructed in accordance with my invention.

The platform portion above referred to and represented generally at 53 is formed of a plank 54 held in place .by a clip device formed of a lower section 55 and upper sections 56 and 57 nested with the clip section The clip section 55 is of general inverted U-sha-pe,

the depending legs of which are represented l at 58 and 59, this section being ilatwise secured at its plate portion 60 to a pair of bracket members 61 secured, .as indicated at 62 and 63, to the tank 11. The clip sections 56 and 57 are located at the ends of the clip section 55 and are i of general inverted Uf shape and eachpresenting the spaced apart legs 64 and 65 and ardepending crosswise eX- tending flange 66. The platform plank 54 is secured in position by applying the clip sections 56 and 57 to the position shown in the drawings the end flanges 66 extending across the en ds of the plank section 54 to prevent the lengthwise displacement of the latter, the

,l by Letters Patent is: Y

clip sections being secured together by rivetsV G7 and 68 extending throughthe adjacent de` pending portions of the clip sections, the bolt holes in either the clip section `55 or the clip of the structures formedof the planks much less frequently required to be made, With c0nysequent reduction in expense for maintenance,

and in the case of the running board structure vthe portions thereof at each side of theV car may be made of relatively short sections of plank the joints between Which Would be located at the clip devices 23 or certain of them, dependingl upon the conditions.

Vhile I have illustrated and described certain particular embodiments oi' my invention, I do not Wish to be understood asintending to limit it thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered and the invention embodied in other' forms of structure, Without departingr from the spirit of my invention.

Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure 1. In combination,planks disposed .at an angle to each, and means for connecting said planks together at their adjacent ends comprising members each of general U-shape and nested together, said planks being interposed between said members, the leg portions of said members being located at oppositel edges of one of said planks, means engaging the leg portions of said members for securing them together, the other of said planksend- Wise abutting` the leg portion of one of said members, and one of said members having an angularly-disposed portion lapping the outer' edge of said last-referred to plank.

2. In combination, planks disposed at an angle to each, and means for connecting said planks together at their adjacent ends comprising members each of general U -shape and nested together, said planks'being interposed between said members, the leg portions of said members being located at opposite edges of one of said planks, means engaging the leg portions of said members i'or securing them together, the other ot said lplanks end-Wise' abutting the portion of one o'r' said members, one of said members having an angu larly disposed portion lapping theoiiter edge of said lastreterred-to plank, and a tongue on one ofsaid members extending at the inner edge of said last-referred-toplank.

3. In combination, planks disposed at an angle to each, and means for connectingV said planks together at their adjacent 'endscomprising members -each of general U -shape and nested together, said planks being in-` terposed between said members, thelegportions of saidinembers lbeing located at opposite edges of one of said'planks, means engaging the leg portions of said, members` for securing them together, the other of said planks end-.Wise abutting the leg portion of one vof said members, and said members having angularly-disposed latvvise opposed portions lapping the outer edge-of said lastreferred-to plank and secured together.v

et. Aplank-securing structure comprising a plank-supporting member having ldepending spaced apart legs, 'inverted .U-shaped members at the opposite'endsfof said iirstnamed member with their vlegs latWise opposing the legs of I 6. 'A plank-securing structure comprisingv a plank-supporting member having dependingspaced apart legs, inverted U-shaped members at theV opposite `ends named v member posingthe legs the plank being porting member and said second-named members, gather `vat saidl flatvvise-oipposed legs, and

ofv said first- With Atheir legs iatvvise oporV said first-named member,

means o-n-saidseco-nd-nained members lap-r ping the ends of said plank.

" 7. In a tank-car, the combination ,ofits underframe having channel-shape crossbe'arers bet-Ween its ends, a tank on said under'- frame, a runningdioard at the sidel of said tank,land means 'for .securing said board in vplace comprisingv clip-devices crosswise above said 'cross-bearer'and each" formed of members of inverted general U- shape nested together With the board interposed therebetween, one member of each pair beingconnected with the ends of said crossbearers, said devices being slotted and strad- ,dling said cross-bearers, and means engaging theleg-portions of said members `for securing them together.

' 8. Ina ta.i'ik -car, the combination of its underframe having cross-bearers between its said first-named' member, the plank being. interposed between said sup'-` memb-er yhaving de-V ed U-shaped l interposedbetvveen said supmeans securing. said members ton extending' ends, a tank on said underframe, a running board surrounding said tank, and means for securing said running-board in place comprising clip-devices at said cross-bearers and atthe corners of said running board each comprising members of general U-shape nested together' with the plank forming said board interposed therebetween, said members at said corners embracing both the end and side members ofsaid running board, and means engaging the leg-portions of said members for securing them together.

9. In a tank-car, the combination of its underirame havingY cross-bearers between its ends, a tank on said under-frame, a running board surrounding said tank, and means for securing saidy running-board in place comprising clipedevices at said cross-bearers and at vthe'corners of said running board each comprising members of general i U-shape nested together with the planks forming said board interposedv therebetween, and means engaging the leg-portions of said membersifor securing them together, certain of said members having portions lapping the outer edges of those planks of said running board which extend across the ends of the car. 1 e l l0. In a tank car, the combination of its underframe having channel-shape crossbearers between' its ends, a tank on said underframe, a running-board at the side of said tank, and means for securing said board in'place comprising clip devices extending crosswise above said cross-bearers and each formed of members of-inverted general U- shape nested together withtheboard interposed therebetween, one membery of each pair having a tongue extending into the channels of said cross-bearers and secured in latwise position therein, said devices being slotted and 1 straddling the upwardly extending flange portions of said cross-bearers, and means engaging the leg portions of said members for securing them together.

l1. In a tank car, the combination of its underframe having cross-bearers between its ends, a tank on said underframe, a running board at the side of said tank, and means for securing said board in place comprising clip devices extending crosswise of, and resting upon, said cross-bearers, each of said devices being formed of members of general U-shape nested together with the board interposed therebetween, one member of each pair being connected with the ends of said crossbearers and means engaging the leg portions of said-members for securing them together.

12'. In a tank car, the combination of its under frame having cross-bearers between its ends, a tank on said underframe, arun-V ningboard at the side of said tank, and

means for securing said board in Aplace comprisingclip devices extending crosswise of,

and resting upon, said cross-bearers, each of saiddevices being formedof members of general U-shapenested together With the boardinterposed therebetween, one member of. each pair having a'ton'gue which extends laterally, and crosswise, of said device and at which tongues said devices are connectedl with said cross-bearers, and means engaging Athe leg portions of said cross members for securing them together.'

rsAIAH A. EAKINs. 

